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Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Cooper, Laura Dern, Chris Owen, William Lee Scott ... see more see more... , Chad Lindberg , Natalie Canerday , Scott Miles , Randy Stripling , Chris Ellis , Elya Baskin , Terry Loughlin

NASA engineer Homer H. Hickam, Jr.'s autobiography provided the basis for this drama about a teenager coming of age at the dawn of the space race. In 1957, Homer Hickam (Jake Gyllenhaal) is a high sch... read more read more...ool student in Coalwood, West Virginia when the Soviet Union launches Sputnik, the first man-made satellite. While most of his friends and neighbors react with fear or distrust, Homer is instantly fascinated and begins studying everything he can find on jet and rocket design. While many of Homer's friends are puzzled by his new obsession, several new friends share his enthusiasm, and with the encouragement of his teacher (Laura Dern), Homer and his fellow "Rocket Boys" begin designing and launching their own homemade missiles. However, Homer's father (Chris Cooper) takes a dim view of his son's interest in rockets and is convinced Homer's future should be the same as his own, working in the local coal mines. October Sky mixes the drama of traditional family conflicts with a nostalgic glimpse of life in the mid-50's and a look at the earliest days of our journey into space. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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84% liked it

62,070 ratings

Critics

90% liked it

72 critics

PG, 1 hr. 47 min.

Directed by: Joe Johnston

Release Date: February 19, 1999

Keywords: family, inspirational

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DVD Release Date: July 29, 1999

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Stats: 3,571 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (3,571)

  • cosmo313
    January 11, 2012
    cosmo313
    This is the true story of Homer Hickam, Jr.- a bright teenager obsessed with rockets and science who, much to the befuddlement of his family and neighbors of his small, working class coal mining town, defied the odds to follow his dreams during the space race years of the 50s.

    ... read moreIt's a very inspiring story that is filled with heart, warmth, humor, and does a good job at dealing with issues of family, working class life, and following one's dreams. That, and it's got a notable cast including a young Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Cooper, and Laura Dern.

    Hickam did eventually become a NASA engineer, but the film primarily focuses on the earliest leg of that journey, and the scenes of him and his friends trying to get into the rocket game for themselves are both funny and charming.

    This is Joe Johnston making a nice drama and pulling it off pretty well. He's got a spotty record, but this is one of his better efforts, and one I find my self enjoying quite a bit each time I see it. Sure, there are shades of typical tropes like the father wanting the son to follow in his footsteps, and people interested in a subject that doesn't fit in with what everyone else in their locale appreciates, but it's handled decently, and the performances are nice, too.
  • fb1710827246
    November 5, 2011
    fb1710827246
    Deeply moving with a whole lot of heart. It's something you'll want to believe in because it is something to believe for.
  • imrealgod
    April 1, 2011
    imrealgod
    As many have already mentioned, it's just another conventional inspirational story of a boy who doesn't give up his dream, even if he has to fight against his father's will for it. Check it out if you're a fan of inspirational tales; otherwise, nothing extraordinary here. And wel... read morel, isn't so bad to pass time if you've nothing else to do, and haven't watched it already.
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    October 24, 2010
    TheDudeLebowski65
    October Sky ins the best feel good movie ever made. One of the things thats great about the film is the film doesn't go over board in it's sentimentality. Never does it feel overly sentimental, corny or embarrassing. This is the type of film that you will definitely feel good rig... read moreht after watching it. You really sympathize with the characters because they are brilliantly played by the cast. I can't recall the number of times I've seen this film, but it's at least over a dozen times. Unlike other family films that try to be overly sentimental just for the sake of being family friendly and to appeal to a bigger audience. October Sky has something that separates it from other feel good films, and thats a very good story, and I mean good. October Sky is the true story of Homer Hickam a teenager who spots the Sputnik satellite and who decides to built his own rocket and enter the science fair. His dad is highly against it, and wants him to work in the mine. Homer has other ideas. October Sky is really a story about accomplishing your dreams, and achieving the impossible. This is simply an incredible story about perseverance and determination and unlike other feel good films, this is a true story, and the way it's told on film is beautiful. The film is brilliantly directed by Joe Johnson, director of Jumanji, and he crafts yet another great film. October Sky is a well acted film, the actors here are incredible and this was one of Jake Gyllenhaal's first staring roles, and is just the right person for this role. Also a performance that is equally great is Chjris Cooper as Homer's father who opposes Homer's dreams. Both actors electrifying as they butt heads on screen as we see their conflicting ideas unfold. Chris Cooper is fine and underrated actor, and this is the first film that I've seen that exposed me to his work. October Sky is a solid feel good film and like I said, this is one of the best too. A fine cast upholds this film, and Johnson has got a fine script at hand. and because of that, the film works very well. The beauty part about this film is that this is the type of film that will stay with you long after you've seen it, and everyone can take something positive away from it. A fine film that in one word can be summarized as beautiful.
  • clintervin
    January 6, 2010
    clintervin
    This film is truly moving and inspiring. It features a brilliant combination of angst, drama, and even a little comedy. Gyllenhaal and Cooper deserve many kudos, but also Natalie Canerday as the mother and William Lee Scott as Roy Lee deserve recognition. October Sky is represent... read moreative of the era, not only from the "Sputnik" angle, but also the coal mining-company town aspect.

    The final scenes of the space shuttle's launch might never have come to fruition without the dedication of the Homer Hickams of this country. The post-Sputnik science-ed. sensation is certainly worthy of this fine treatment. I shared the pride that all of Coalwood felt when the "rocket boys" won the national science fair. The theme that hard work and dedication lead to success may seem old-fashioned, but here its done to perfection. It is not sugary nor schmaltzy, though it could have easily slipped into that trap.

    One more thought: my wife mocked the Appalachian accents a little, but I thought they were good, not overdone as southern accents usually are in movies.
  • fb619846742
    November 10, 2009
    fb619846742
    A great movie. Simply uplifting, with two amazing, realistic peformances from Gyllenhaal (before he became all Hollywood) and Cooper (who has remained ridiculously underrated all these years). Just a great tale concerning a boy and his dream.
  • YosemiteSamFan
    June 4, 2008
    YosemiteSamFan
    Slow-moving with a bleak coal mining town, make it a bit depressing. The pacing and editing could've been improved. There are many emotional scenes which try to tug on the heartstrings of the viewers. The performances are strong with Jake Gyllenhaal playing Homer Hickman, a boy c... read moreaptivated by his rocket design hobby, against the strong urges to follow in his father's career working at the coal mine. Homer (Gyllenhaal) and his friends face many odds to get their rocket projects brought to the statewide science fair. Like many of the rockets they built, the movie is too much of a downer, and could use more "uplifting" scenes. It was well-made and very watchable, but a heavy experience.
  • superclerk25
    April 26, 2008
    superclerk25
    This was a good one and is a good flick for the whole family.
  • xXGiNoBiLiPRXx
    December 13, 2007
    xXGiNoBiLiPRXx
    Great great movie! One of my top 100 favorite movies for sure. In Coalwood, West Virginia, all the boys grow up to be coal miners and Homer Hickam has no reason to think he'll be any different. Too small to earn a football scholarship, Homer has no way out of his predetermined li... read morefe until the soviet satellite Sputnik flies over the October sky and changes everything. It's 1957 and Homer's world just got a lot bigger. Though his father is mine superintendent and has no greater wish than to see his sons follow in his footsteps, Homer embarks on a mission to build and launch his own homemade rockets with the help of his loyal band of friends. Though their frequent mistakes nearly get them shut down, their successes inspire the whole town to believe that miracles can happen even in Coalwood, and there's nothing wrong with shooting for the stars.
  • puffchunk
    October 13, 2007
    puffchunk
    This one is somehow pretty great. I think it's cause chris cooper does what he does best. Plays an asshole.

View All October Sky Reviews

Critic Reviews

Gary Dauphin
January 1, 2000
Gary Dauphin, Village Voice

A professionally crafted family film that reserves all its challenging moments for its characters, letting the audience bask comfortably in the approach of a predetermined warm and fuzzy ending. Full Review

Joe Leydon
January 1, 2000
Joe Leydon, Variety

Immensely entertaining and unabashedly inspirational! Full Review

Michael Wilmington
January 1, 2000
Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune

One of the best in recent years!

Janet Maslin
January 1, 2000
Janet Maslin, New York Times

As adapted by Lewis Colick, the screenplay shifts busily among the boys' rocket exploits, Homer's family, conditions at the mine and the influence of a dedicated science teacher, but each of these sub... Full Review

Peter Stack
January 1, 2000
Peter Stack, San Francisco Chronicle

Sweetness is too rare in movies these days, so audiences can feel lucky about the earnest dose of it in October Sky. This film is family. Full Review

Desson Thomson
January 1, 2000
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

Another Universal Pictures paint-by-numbers feel-gooder! Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

Believable, subtle, and consistently intelligent! Full Review

Susan Stark
January 1, 2000
Susan Stark, Detroit News

It is a film that treats its teen-aged hero and his pals as distinctive, sentient human beings. Full Review

Cody Clark
January 1, 2000
Cody Clark, Mr. Showbiz

October Sky will go straight to the heart of any man who recalls looking up at the night sky as a boy and getting stars in his eyes.

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

This movie has deep values. Full Review

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    • Miss Riley: Sometimes you really can't listen to what anybody else says. You just gotta listen inside.
    • Homer Hickam: You know, it won't fly unless somebody pushes the button.
    • Roy Lee: Science fairs are for geeks.
    • Homer Hickam: I wouldn't care if you lived in the Governor's mansion, I'd still think you are weird.
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October Sky Trivia

  • In what movie does a boy build a rocket in a small mining town?  Answer »
  • In which movie did Jake Gyllenhaal play as a high school boy trying to build a rocket?   Answer »
  • The movie October Sky is based on which Book?  Answer »
  • Who plays Homer Hickam in the movie October Sky?  Answer »
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